God Complex (band)

God Complex
God Complex performing live in 2026
God Complex performing live in 2026
Background information
OriginLiverpool, Merseyside, U.K.
Genres
Years active2017–2022; 2024–present
LabelsVenn, SharpTone
Spinoff ofOur Imbalance
Members
  • Harry Rule
  • Danny Skarratts
  • Kyle Holt
  • Luke Lomas
  • Sam Morris
  • James Lyon
Past members
  • Alex Chan
  • Erik Bickerstaffe

God Complex is an English hardcore punk band from Liverpool. Formed in 2017 by James Lyon (drums), Kyle Holt (guitar, vocals) and Alex Chan (bass) and former Our Imbalance vocalist Harry Rule, they released their debut EP Created Sick in 2018. In 2021, they released their debut album To Decay in a Deathless World, then disbanded in February 2022. In 2024, they reunited with the addition of Luke Lomas (guitar) and Danny Skarratts (guitar). In 2025, they released their second EP He Watches in Silence.

History

God Complex was formed in 2017 by Harry Rule (vocals), James Lyon (drums), Kyle Holt (guitar, vocals) and Alex Chan (bass), who met through friends. In a 2018 interview, Rule stated that formed with the intention of creating "straight up, no-bullshit, aggressive hardcore, and that just wasn’t being addressed in the UK".[1] Between 11 and 16 November, they toured the UK supporting Venom Prison.[2] Rule had been the founding vocalist of Our Imbalance, a band who, following his departure, would change their name to Loathe.[3] On 9 November 2017, they released their debut single "Hate Runs Through Me". On 18 January 2018, they released the single "Insignificant".[4] In February 2018, they supported Loathe and Holding Absence on some dates of the UK co-headline tour.[5][6][7]

On 5 October 2018, they released their debut EP Created Sick,[8] through Venn Records.[9] 12 October 2018, they released the single "Slumlord".[10] That month, they toured the U.K. with Puppy and King 810.[11] On 15 August 2019, they released a live session with Live at the Lab.[12] In February 2020, they supported Loathe on their UK tour headline tour, alongside The Well Runs Red and Phoxjaw.[13][14]

In 2021, they announced that their debut album To Decay In A Deathless World would be released on 7 October. At the same time, they announced the band's disbandment.[15] They performed their final show at Liverpool venue Zanzibar on 19 February 2022. Throughout the whole set, Loathe guitarist Erik Bickerstaffe played drums. Vocalists interchanged each song, including Loathe's Kadeem France, Static Dress' Olli Appleyard, Love is Noise's Cameron Humphrey, Creak's Jack Dunn and Cthulhu's Michael Page.[16] During this time, Rule became vocalist for Blood Youth.[17]

On 29 December 2024, they announced that they had reunited,[18] with a lineup of Rule (vocals), Danny Skarratts (guitar), Holt (guitar), Luke Lomas (guitar), Sam Morris (bass) and Lyon (drums). At the same time, they released the single "Salt and Ash".[19] On 31 January 2025, they released the single "Depraved Idol", announcing it would be a part of their EP He Watches In Silence, released on SharpTone Records on 21 February.[20][21]

Musical style

Critics have categorised God Complex's music as metalcore[22][23][24] and hardcore punk.[2][25][26] They incorporate elements of doom metal,[9] progressive metal,[27] mathcore,[28] death metal, groove metal, deathcore, djent,[29] black metal,[26] sludge metal[30] and nu metal.[11] Their music makes use of blast beats,[31] breakdowns[32] chugging riffs, rhythmic sections,[33] atmospheric elements[34] eerie, melodic guitar leads guitars and chaotic elements.[35] Their vocals are often screamed, using different techniques,[31] including varying pitches.[28] Sometimes, vocals are stylised like those in deathcore[29] while others are similar to death metal.[36] Following their reunion, Rule began to increasingly experimental with vocal techniques.[37]

They have cited influences including Nails, Knocked Loose, Jesus Piece, Kublai Khan, Pantera, Alice in Chains and Black Sabbath.[38] In a 2018 interview with Atom Smasher, each member listed their favourite albums as Counterparts' Tragedy Will Find Us, Varials' Pain Again, Nas' Illmatic and Machine Head's Burn My Eyes.[1] In a 2025 interview, Rule stated that since childhood, he and Erik Bickerstaffe from Loathe have musically "influenced each other... him influencing me bit more because he's ridiculous".[39]

Their first EP Created Sick (2018) was gloom metal,[40] a genre they helped to pioneer, alongside Loathe[41] and Lotus Eater.[42] The genre is characterised by the merger of elements of hardcore punk and metalcore,[43] djent-inspired riffing[44] and horror atmospherics.[45] NME and Hysteria magazine noted them as a forefront band in a new wave of heavy music in Britain in the 2010s, alongside Lotus Eater, Modern Error, Holding Absence and Loathe.[46][47] Boolin Tunes writer Nicholas Hayley called them "One of the UK’s most visceral yet largely underappreciated metalcore acts" and "one of my most cherished acts in the UK underground scene".[29]

They have been cited as an influence by Graphic Nature.[48] In 2021, Olli Appleyard, vocalist of Static Dress, called To Decay In A Deathless World "hands down the best heavy record of the entire year, and I will happily fight anyone to prove them wrong."[49]

Discography

Studio albums
  • To Decay in a Deathless World (2021)
EPs
  • Created Sick (2018)
  • He Watches in Silence (2025)
As a featured artist

Members

Current
  • Harry Rule – vocals (2017–2022; 2024–present)
  • Kyle Holt – guitar (2017–2022; 2024–present)
  • James Lyon – drums (2017–2021; 2024–present)
  • Sam Morris – bass (2020–2022; 2024–present)
  • Luke Lomas – guitar (2024–present)
  • Danny Skarratts – guitar (2024–present)
Former
  • Alex Chan – bass (2017–2020)
  • Erik Bickerstaffe – drums (2022)

References

  1. 1 2 "Interview with God Complex". Atom Smasher Music. 5 February 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
  2. 1 2 Godla, Frank (8 November 2017). "GOD COMPLEX "Hate Runs Through Me" Video Brings Brutal Dark Hardcore To New Heights". Metal Injection. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  3. ↑ Mills, Matt Mills (4 June 2020). "Loathe: the future of British metal has arrived". Metal Hammer. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  4. ↑ Stewart-Panko, Kevin (18 January 2018). "Video Premiere: God Complex Stirs Dark Memories with "Insignificant"". Decibel Magazine. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
  5. ↑ "Loathe & Holding Absence - This Is As One - Reviews - Rock Sound Magazine". Rock Sound Magazine. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  6. ↑ "Modern Error release new music video for 'Blackout Poetry'". Distorted Sound Magazine. 3 March 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  7. ↑ "God Complex release new music video for 'Insignificant' - Distorted Sound Magazine". Distorted Sound Magazine. 20 January 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  8. ↑ Morton, Luke (4 October 2018). "Listen to God Complex's savage new EP Created Sick". Metal Hammer. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
  9. 1 2 McDonald, Liam (5 October 2018). "EP Review: God Complex – Created Sick • Hardbeat - Unleashing The Underground". Retrieved 5 July 2026.
  10. ↑ "Merseyside Hardcore Band God Complex Don't Like Landlords". Kerrang!. 12 October 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  11. 1 2 "Review: "Created Sick" EP by God Complex – Metal Noise". Retrieved 5 July 2026.
  12. ↑ Longman, Jack (15 August 2019). "The heaviest live session I've recorded thus far". JackLongman.com. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
  13. ↑ "Loathe are teasing their upcoming album with new track, 'Screaming'". Upset. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  14. ↑ "Loathe Have Announced A UK Headline Tour - News". Rock Sound Magazine. Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  15. ↑ "Album Review: God Complex - "To Decay In A Deathless World" 8.6 (Hardcore)". Noob Heavy. 18 October 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  16. ↑ "GOD COMPLEX - HD - LAST SHOW - MULTICAM FULL SET - ZANZIBAR, LIVERPOOL - 19.02.22". Dai Tan. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  17. ↑ "A Conversation with Blood Youth's Departing Vocalist Kaya Tarsus & Their New Vocalist Harry Rule - Features". Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  18. ↑ Rockpit, The (29 December 2024). "GOD COMPLEX Sign With SharpTone Records & Share New Single". The Rockpit. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  19. ↑ "God Complex Sign With SharpTone Records – R o c k 'N' L o a d". rocknloadmag.com. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  20. ↑ "God Complex Premiere New Single & Music Video "Depraved Idol" From Upcoming New EP "He Watches In Silence"". Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  21. ↑ "God Complex Unveil "Depraved Idol" Video From New EP "He Watches In Silence"". Theprp.com. 30 January 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
  22. ↑ "GOD COMPLEX deliver new single "Depraved Idol" and music video, set to release new EP". lambgoat.com. 30 January 2025. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  23. ↑ Muldoon, Brittany (23 January 2026). "Counterparts kicks off EU/UK tour in Prague". // MELODIC Magazine. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  24. ↑ "God Complex Sign With SharpTone Records, Premiere "Salt And Ash"". Theprp.com. 13 December 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  25. ↑ Fisher, Daniel (21 February 2025). "EP Review: God Complex - He Watches In Silence (via Sharptone Records)". GAMES, BRRRAAAINS & A HEAD-BANGING LIFE. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  26. 1 2 Smyth, Amy (20 February 2025). "REVIEW: God Complex - He Watches In Silence". Out Of Rage. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  27. ↑ Baker, Alex (29 October 2021). "Now Hear This: Alex Baker on the best new metal, alt.rock and emo". Kerrang!. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
  28. 1 2 O, Maarten. "God Complex - He Watches In Silence". Zware Metalen (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 July 2026.
  29. 1 2 3 Hayley, Nicholas (16 February 2025). "EP REVIEW: God Complex - He Watches In Silence". Boolin Tunes. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  30. ↑ "LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: Counterparts - O2 Ritz, Manchester - 17/02/2026". The Soundboard. 25 February 2026. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  31. 1 2 McConnell, Craig (17 February 2026). "Counterparts / Sunami / One Step Closer / God Complex". is this music?. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  32. ↑ "COUNTERPARTS - MANCHESTER, O2 RITZ - 17 FEBRUARY 2026". Über Röck. 22 February 2026. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
  33. ↑ Synn, Andy (21 October 2021). "THE BEST OF BRITISH - GOD COMPLEX / GREEN LUNG / STILL". NO CLEAN SINGING. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
  34. ↑ Friswell, Sean (22 February 2025). "God Complex - 'He Watches In Silence' EP Review". 3songsandout. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
  35. ↑ McGinn, Katarina. "God Complex – He Watches in Silence (Sharptone Records) | Dead Rhetoric". deadrhetoric.com. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
  36. ↑ "LIVE REPORT: Counterparts, Sunami, One Step Closer & God Complex". Boolin Tunes. 24 February 2026. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  37. ↑ Walker, Jack (8 September 2025). "LIVE REPORT: Burn It Down 2025 - Friday". Boolin Tunes. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  38. ↑ Morton, Luke (6 August 2018). "It's grim up north: introducing the abject brutality of God Complex". Metal Hammer. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  39. ↑ Harry Rule (27 February 2025). Harry Rule from God Complex. The Heavyist (Podcast). Event occurs at 23m. Retrieved 29 June 2026. We've influenced each other growing up and him him influencing me bit more because he's ridiculous I don't know you're that familiar with his his[sic] chops but the man's chop chopping
  40. ↑ "Live Review: Counterparts w/God Complex, One Step Closer and Sunami at The Engine Rooms in Southampton! – Metal Noise". Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  41. ↑ "The Black Map #210: Graphic Nature from London! – Metal Noise". Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  42. ↑ "Review: "Every Scream Became a Whisper in the Dark" by Break Fifty – Metal Noise". Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  43. ↑ McHugh, Dan (17 July 2018). "FESTIVAL REVIEW: UK Tech-Fest 2018 - Sunday". Distorted Sound Magazine. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
  44. ↑ "Rabidfest 2023: "HIVE" by Tribe Of Ghosts (Track Review) – Metal Noise". Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  45. ↑ "Review: "The Ties That Blind The Flesh And Mind" by Chaos Sequence – Metal Noise".
  46. ↑ May, Karl (20 February 2020). "Loathe // Let Loathe In So They Can Take You Too". Hysteria Magazine. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  47. ↑ Shutler, Ali (19 July 2019). "Lotus Eater: five reasons to love Oli Sykes' favourite new heavy band". NME. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  48. ↑ "[GN] Playlist: 001". Spotify. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  49. ↑ DeCaro, Alessandro. "Static Dress release debut project 'Prologue... (Comic Book Soundtrack)'". Alternative Press. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  50. ↑ BURCH, KEL (3 February 2020). "Loathe - I Let It In And It Took Everything (Review) - Depth Magazine". Retrieved 6 July 2026.
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